Noisebridge is run by consensus with all the members. We don't do anything as a group that everyone isn't OK with (not everyone has to be wildly enthusiastic). We've evolved a way of getting to this state, which is not any kind of definitive rule, but has worked reasonably well so far. Here's what to expect in most cases, except when we get to consensus by a different method.

Noisebridge is run by consensus with all the members. We don't do anything as a group that everyone isn't OK with (not everyone has to be wildly enthusiastic). We've evolved a way of getting to this state, which is not any kind of definitive rule, but has worked reasonably well so far. Here's what to expect in most cases, except when we get to consensus by a different method.

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==Use Cases==

====The Short Version====

====The Short Version====

# Dick wants to paint the bike shed pink. He brings it up at a Tuesday meeting as a Discussion Item.

# Dick wants to paint the bike shed pink. He brings it up at a Tuesday meeting as a Discussion Item.

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## Marty sees the item, even though he wasn't around for the meeting he responds back and states that isn't going to support this issue unless eco-bio-organic friendly paint was used. Dick agrees.

## Marty sees the item, even though he wasn't around for the meeting he responds back and states that isn't going to support this issue unless eco-bio-organic friendly paint was used. Dick agrees.

## Cathy emails the list and says she doesn't feel that spending Noisebridge funds on paint is a smart thing, but wont block.

## Cathy emails the list and says she doesn't feel that spending Noisebridge funds on paint is a smart thing, but wont block.

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## Yojimbo does want to block this item but wont be able to physically make it to the next meeting, since he's never actually been to the space and don't actually know anyone there, he's having a hard time convincing someone to act as a proxy for him.

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## Yojimbo does want to block this item but wont be able to physically make it to the next meeting, since he's never actually been to the space and doesn't actually know anyone there, he's having a hard time convincing someone to act as a proxy for him.

# Dick puts the topic into Consensus items for next week's agenda.

# Dick puts the topic into Consensus items for next week's agenda.

# At the meeting, Dick discusses the item and what his new revised plans are.

# At the meeting, Dick discusses the item and what his new revised plans are.

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# Dick paints the bike shed.

# Dick paints the bike shed.

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The process is decision-centric, and should be able to re-configure itself around the decision that needs to be made.

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==Notes==

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* The process is decision-centric, and should be able to re-configure itself around the decision that needs to be made.

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There is also the notion of a Do-ocrocy. If you want something done, do it, but remember to be excellent to each other when doing so.

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* Typically a week is given to an item from Discussion to Consensus in the Tuesday meetings to give people who didn't attend the first meeting time to review the meeting notes and start discussion over other mediums if they wish to participate in the consensus process.

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* Generally by not coming to a meeting, and in turn not participating in the process, as a member you're stating that you are ok with the direction the rest of the membership participating go with, but might not necessarily agree with the subjects or topics that pass through consensus.

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* Members are allowed to not block but state that they're not in support or agree with the subjects or topics that pass through consensus.

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* Anyone, members or guests of Noisebridge, can bring up items for consensus.

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* Only members are able to participate in the act of coming to consensus, I.E. blocking the process.

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* In order to participate in consensus (block the process), a member must be physically in the space during the meeting.

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* A member who isn't able to physically make it to a meeting is allowed to have another member act on their behalf as proxy if they can find one who's willing to do so (as in agrees to their point of view on the subject).

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* A guest who wants to block the process is allowed to have a member act on their behalf as proxy if they can find one who's willing to do so (as in agrees to their point of view on the subject).

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* There is also the notion of a [[Do-ocracy]]. If you want something done, do it, but remember to be excellent to each other when doing so.

Revision as of 10:08, 5 April 2010

Noisebridge is run by consensus with all the members. We don't do anything as a group that everyone isn't OK with (not everyone has to be wildly enthusiastic). We've evolved a way of getting to this state, which is not any kind of definitive rule, but has worked reasonably well so far. Here's what to expect in most cases, except when we get to consensus by a different method.

The Long Version

Dick shows up at the meeting and discusses his plan with everyone attending. Discussion is allowed to continue on for a week to give people time to read and respond to the meeting notes if they weren't at the meeting and want to be involved.

Jane thinks this is a stupid idea, she doesn't think the bike shed should be painted at all.

Jane and Dick argue for 5 minutes, everyone gets annoyed and tell them to shut up, Jane says she'll block consensus at the next meeting.

Jane, being an member who is excellent to others at Noisebridge, talks to Dick after the meeting, Dick offers to be ok with painting the bike shed whatever color, Jane says blue is great, Dick agrees. Story continues.

In an alternate universe Jane is totally a jerk and doesn't want to be open to anymore discussion about this, she'll block no matter what. Story ends here.

The note taker of the meeting posts the meeting notes to the wiki and the mailing list.

Marty sees the item, even though he wasn't around for the meeting he responds back and states that isn't going to support this issue unless eco-bio-organic friendly paint was used. Dick agrees.

Cathy emails the list and says she doesn't feel that spending Noisebridge funds on paint is a smart thing, but wont block.

Yojimbo does want to block this item but wont be able to physically make it to the next meeting, since he's never actually been to the space and doesn't actually know anyone there, he's having a hard time convincing someone to act as a proxy for him.

Dick puts the topic into Consensus items for next week's agenda.

At the meeting, Dick discusses the item and what his new revised plans are.

Bobby blocks because he feels Noisebridge shouldn't have a bike shed in the first place. Go to step number 5.

The meeting moderator asks if anyone disagrees to the bike shed getting painted, everyone's silent, consensus has been reached.

Dick paints the bike shed.

Notes

The process is decision-centric, and should be able to re-configure itself around the decision that needs to be made.

Typically a week is given to an item from Discussion to Consensus in the Tuesday meetings to give people who didn't attend the first meeting time to review the meeting notes and start discussion over other mediums if they wish to participate in the consensus process.

Generally by not coming to a meeting, and in turn not participating in the process, as a member you're stating that you are ok with the direction the rest of the membership participating go with, but might not necessarily agree with the subjects or topics that pass through consensus.

Members are allowed to not block but state that they're not in support or agree with the subjects or topics that pass through consensus.

Anyone, members or guests of Noisebridge, can bring up items for consensus.

Only members are able to participate in the act of coming to consensus, I.E. blocking the process.

In order to participate in consensus (block the process), a member must be physically in the space during the meeting.

A member who isn't able to physically make it to a meeting is allowed to have another member act on their behalf as proxy if they can find one who's willing to do so (as in agrees to their point of view on the subject).

A guest who wants to block the process is allowed to have a member act on their behalf as proxy if they can find one who's willing to do so (as in agrees to their point of view on the subject).

There is also the notion of a Do-ocracy. If you want something done, do it, but remember to be excellent to each other when doing so.